Northern Ireland: European Parliamentary Election

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there was effective liaison between Northern Ireland's Chief Electoral Officer and the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland during the recent European parliamentary election; at what locations public order problems occurred; and whether any alleged rioters are to be charged with public order offences.

Baroness Amos: This is an operational responsibility of the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland. He has replied to the noble Lord directly.
	Letter from Mr Dennis Stanley to Lord Maginnis.
	The Electoral Office has a senior police officer from PSNI Headquarters assigned to provide an effective channel for planning and operational matters during the entire period of the preparation for and delivery of every election in Northern Ireland. I have no reason to consider that the work of this officer, or the mechanisms the Chief Constable has put in place to facilitate effective liaison between our respective organisations, is anything less than entirely satisfactory.
	Incidents took place on 10 June during polling at the following locations:
	St Therese Primary School
	Heather Road
	Londonderry
	St Bridget's Primary School
	Carnhill
	Londonderry
	Holy Child Primary School
	Central Drive
	Creggan
	Londonderry
	It is a matter for the Chief Constable as to the prosecution of rioters and I understand he will write to you separately on the matter.

Northern Ireland: European Parliamentary Election

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many staff were employed by the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland in voting centres and at the count during the recent European parliamentary election; how many were employed in 1999; what was the total number of electors on each occasion; and what was the total cost of each election.

Baroness Amos: Four thousand two hundred staff were employed at voting centres, verification centres and the count for the 2004 European parliamentary election. Approximately 310 of these worked at the count. This compares to a total workforce of 3,500 for the 1999 election where approximately 290 people worked at the count.
	The eligible electorate for the 2004 election was 1,072,669. This compares with an electorate of 1,191,307 in 1999.
	The cost of the 2004 election was approximately £2.75 million compared to £2.254 million in 1999.

Ulster-Scots Agency

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 17 June (WA 80), which political parties will be officially consulted about the appointment of a new chairman to the Ulster-Scots Agency.

Baroness Amos: We will consult any parties who appear to us to have an interest in this appointment.

Global Conflict Prevention Pool

Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will consider widening the scope of the Department for International Development to include the work of the Global Conflict Prevention Pool.

Baroness Amos: DfID has been part of the Global Conflict Prevention Pool (GCPP) since its inception in 2001. The GCPP is a tripartite mechanism and DfID works with the FCO and MoD to develop strategies for conflict prevention in 14 different geographical and thematic areas.
	DfID is represented on the GCPP steering team, and on each of the 14 tripartite strategy committees. DfID is the GCPP lead on the security sector reform and small arms and light weapons strategies. The Secretary of State for International Development, the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for Defence oversee the work of the GCPP through a Defence and Overseas Policy (DOP) sub-committee.
	DfID's 2004 departmental report estimates that DfID spent £25.5 million through the GCPP in 2003–04. Some examples of DfID's work through the GCPP include:
	supporting the UN to halt the proliferation of small arms and light weapons;
	promoting responsible journalism in conflict hotspots in the Former Soviet Union;
	police reform in Nepal;
	supporting UNICEF's work to protect children caught up in armed conflict.

Zimbabwe Community UK

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are reviewing grants of asylum to citizens of Zimbabwe obtained with the aid of documentation supplied by "Zimbabwe Community UK"; and what investigations they have conducted into the affairs of that organisation, including the manner in which it obtained a £5,000 lottery grant.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Immigration Service was already investigating allegations about the activities of Zimbabwe Community UK before they were broadcast by the BBC. It is working with the National Criminal Intelligence Service and is assessing the material the BBC has provided. It would not be appropriate to comment further on the investigations at this stage. Any decision on whether to review grants of asylum to citizens of Zimbabwe obtained with the aid of documentation supplied by Zimbabwe Community UK will be taken in the light of these investigations.
	The group received £5,000 from Awards for All (lottery grant). In assessing applications to this fund a series of checks are made to verify the status, position and activities of the applicant groups.
	We take the allegations very seriously and are in the process of arranging an audit of the checking process and how this group spent the grant. We are asking for a progress report and proof of expenditure, as per the terms of the grant.

Planning Permission

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the future signing of an agreement made under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 can be made a condition of the granting and issue of a planning permission.

Lord Rooker: Planning Circular 11/95 provides guidance on the use of conditions in planning permission. The circular advises that conditions attached to planning permissions should be necessary, relevant to planning, relevant to the development permitted, enforceable, precise and reasonable in all other respects. A condition requiring that an agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 must be entered into is unlikely to meet the tests set out in the circular because the terms of the agreement will not be known at the time permission is granted. The policy relating to planning conditions reflects current case law and helps to ensure fairness and transparency for those involved in the planning process. We have no proposals to change this policy.

Army Recruitment

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many recruits to the infantry they anticipate will join in the next six months.

Lord Bach: It is anticipated that some 1,400 recruits will begin their training with the infantry over the next six months.

Army Recruitment

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 28 June (WA 5), how many individuals who have successfully passed through the recruit selection process for the infantry have been given a date to commence phase one (basic) training after a delay of more than two months; and how many individuals are expected to pass through the selection process but will not commence their phase one (basic) training for over two months in 2004.

Lord Bach: The number of infantry recruits who have been given a training commencement date longer than two months from their date of attestation in 2004 is 467. Of these, some would have requested a delay before starting training due to personal commitments such as jobs, education and holidays. It should be noted that there is a two-month gap between intakes to Parachute Regiment courses due to their popularity, which results in recruits to the Parachute Regiment automatically having a two-month delay before entering training. If Parachute Regiment figures are excluded, the number of infantry recruits who have a training commencement date in excess of two months is reduced to 352.
	Until all current candidates have successfully completed their selection process at recruit selection centres (RSC), it is impossible to say how many will not begin their basic training for over two months. Once a potential recruit has successfully passed RSC, they will be allocated on to the first available phase 1 course that is being run for their chosen career employment group and the time involved may of course vary considerably.

Military Discipline

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will appeal the findings of the European Court of Human Rights of 15 June in relation to the cases of Thompson v the United Kingdom, GW v the United Kingdom and Le Petit v the United Kingdom; and
	What effect the findings by the European Court of Human Rights of 15 June will have on the rules governing the conduct of military discipline.

Lord Bach: The cases on which the European Court of Human Rights delivered its judgments on 15 June 2004 relate to proceedings arising in 1996, since when substantial relevant changes to the provisions governing the conduct of military discipline have been made. We are nevertheless considering the judgments carefully to see whether there are implications we need to address.

Military Discipline

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What guidance is given to commanding officers in relation to administering summary justice in accordance with the Army Act 1955.

Lord Bach: The Manual of Military Law is the principal source of guidance for commanding officers in relation to administering summary justice in accordance with the Army Act 1955. It also includes guidance on the Custody and Summary Dealing (Army) Regulations 2000 and the Summary Appeal Court (Army) Rules 2000. Training on service discipline matters is provided throughout an officer's career. Commanding officers, wherever they serve, have direct access to Army Legal Service officers at divisional level for advice.

Ministry of Defence: ECHR Cases

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many cases the Ministry of Defence has lost in the European Court of Human Rights in the past 12 months; and how many cases remain pending.

Lord Bach: Cases brought in the European Court of Human Rights are brought against HM Government and not against individual government departments. Where the lead department was the Ministry of Defence four cases have been lost in the past 12 months. There are five cases pending.

Jarvis Plc

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In which private finance initiative and public private partnership projects in London Jarvis plc or any of its subsidiaries is:
	(a) the main contractor; and
	(b) a member of a contracting consortium (showing in each case the percentage share of Jarvis plc or its subsidiaries); and for each project, what is the contract period and total value.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: A list of signed PFI contracts is published on the HM Treasury public website, listing contracts by department, location and region and giving an estimate of the capital value of investment under the contract. Information on consortium membership and the identity of main contractors is not held centrally.

Jarvis Plc

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the finances of Jarvis plc are sufficiently robust to ensure that its subsidiary Prismo will meet its obligations for preparatory works for Liverpool City of Culture 2008.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The delivery of Liverpool's plans for its year as European Capital of Culture 2008 are a matter for the Liverpool Culture Company. The company has informed me that there is currently no intention for Prismo to be involved in any of its projects. Prismo is one of three framework contractors for future planned work in the city by Liverpool City Council but thus far no work has been awarded to it.

DCMS: Conflicts of Interest Policy

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will publish its policy on potential conflicts of interest for public appointments and advisers contracted to the department.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Yes. Our policy is already public in that potential applicants for public appointment receive the Cabinet Office publication, Guidance on codes of practice for board members of public bodies. We will be updating our application packs over the next few weeks so as to provide more detailed information on conflicts of interest. Advisers contracted to the department, as opposed to "special advisers", are appointed under standard contract terms, which include the need to declare conflicts of interest.

DCMS: Step into Sport Contract

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will provide details of the contractual arrangements in place, including the value of any contracts, between the Youth Sport Trust and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and its associated agencies for each financial year since 1999–2000.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, in March 2002, let a two-year contract valued at £7 million to a consortium of Sport England, the Youth Sport Trust and the British Sports Trust. The contract was to deliver the Step into Sport project—part of the PE, School Sport and Club Links programme.

Olympic Games 2012: London Bid

Lord Jopling: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the average total extra charge to be made to London households in the event of London being the host to the 2012 Olympic Games; and over how many years it will be spread.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: In the event of a successful bid, up to £625 million will come from council tax from Londoners. Council tax is a matter for the Mayor, and it is his expectation that, with the current number of households, this will cost each household on average £199 and will be spread over up to 12 years. The average cost and the time period may reduce depending on the final amount required and any changes to the local tax base.

Olympic Games 2012: London Bid

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport had any evidence to support her statement that London scored badly on the International Olympic Committee's criteria for government support "because of the uncertainty created by the forthcoming mayoral elections" (HC Deb, 28th June, col. 15).

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: London did not score badly for government support. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded London a range of 8–9 out of 10 for the technical criterion "Government Support", the same as all other applicant cities. In addition to this assessment of the level of support, the overall score for the category included a multiplier for feasibility. London and New York had a lower multiplier for feasibility than Paris and Madrid, of 0.8 compared to 0.9. In the terms of the IOC evaluation report 0.8 is rated as "high probability".
	The report of the IOC does not offer any explicit explanation why London and New York were given slightly lower feasibility ratings. However, as part of the information used to score this category, candidate cities were asked to provide information about the frequency of elections before 2005. London was alone in possibly facing two sets of elections that could affect government support for the bid—both mayoral and a potential general election. New York has presidential, congressional and state legislative elections in the bidding period. Paris will have no elections that would significantly affect government or city support, and Madrid had a general election (in March) and will not hold a city or regional ballot before July 2005.
	As part of their response to the Working Group Report the bid company is in discussions with the IOC to establish the underlying reasons for both this marking and the other areas of the file where London scored lower than other cities.

Piers

Lord Fearn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many piers in England are designated as listed buildings or structures; and what grades have been given to these piers.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: There are currently 77 listed piers in England. Of these, three are Grade 1, 12 are Grade II* and 62 are Grade II.

Drivers: Foreign Nationals

Baroness Masham of Ilton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether foreign nationals from countries which are not considered "designated countries" by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency who have resided in the United Kingdom for more than one year (discounting periods overseas) are permitted to drive in the United Kingdom without passing a United Kingdom driving test.

Lord Davies of Oldham: New residents who hold valid driving licences issued in countries which are not designated in British law for licence exchange purposes must pass a British driving test in order to be able to drive beyond their first 12 months of residence here. The concessionary 12-month period during which they may drive on their valid national licence begins on the date on which they become resident and includes periods they spend overseas.
	New residents who hold licences issued in designated countries may also drive for 12 months from the date they became resident but may exchange their licences for the British equivalent without having to pass a further driving test.
	Visitors to this country with licences issued in non-European Community/European Economic Area countries may drive here for 12 months from the date they last entered the UK, provided their licence remains valid. After 12 months they must stop driving, and they are unable to take a British driving test. This is because British driving licences may only be issued to residents of Great Britain.

DVLA: Telephone Response Times

Baroness Masham of Ilton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they are taking to reduce the waiting time for members of the public telephoning the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

Lord Davies of Oldham: DVLA has improved the automated advice system, added extra 95 telephone lines and deployed extra staff on its vehicle service.

DVLA: Telephone Response Times

Baroness Masham of Ilton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the average waiting time for members of the public telephoning the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

Lord Davies of Oldham: During the early part of this year the inquiry section at DVLA had to cope with volumes of calls far higher than expected as a result of the introduction of continuous registration. During that period customers had to wait an average of 49 seconds to speak to a DVLA agent on vehicle-related issues. Measures to cope with the additional demand have been put in place and in June the average waiting time was down to 25 seconds.
	Customers to DVLA's drivers section have experienced an average waiting time of 10 seconds for the first six months of this year.

Lifeboat Stations

Lord Fearn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many lifeboat stations are situated around the British Isles; and how many offshore lifeboat stations are situated around Britain's coastline.

Lord Davies of Oldham: There are 281 lifeboat stations situated around the British Isles, of which 133 house "all weather" lifeboats suitable for offshore conditions.